Thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine every day from various parts of Andhra Pradesh, neighbouring Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Devotees tonsure their head and offer it to the deity.

Staff of Kesh Kandana Sala (tonsuring centre) of the temple collect the hair and segregate them according to length and quality, which is then auctioned.

Executive officer of the temple K Ramachandra Mohan said around 15 bags containing “special grade” human hair were stored in a room near the Kesh Kandana Sala, of which 10 bags were stolen.

The thieves entered the store room of the temple, from the terrace using a rope. They cut the grille door on the terrace to enter the first floor and then unscrewed the pivot to enter the store room, temple sources said.

On a complaint filed by the temple management, police inspected the spot and pressed a dog squad into service to gather clues.